Pliers with link connected handle and jaw



Oct. 5, 1948. A- H. HAGEN 2,450,791

PLIERS Y'ITH LINK CONNECTED HANDLE AND JAW Filed Sept. 17, 1945 v 2 SheetsSheet 1 JRRTHDR H- HHGEN sHs Wags Oct. 5, 1948. A. H. HAGEN 2,450,791

I PLIERS WITH LINK CONNEC TED HANDLE AND JAW Filed Sept. 17, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2" I I Bl & ARTHURH HACQBMW I EN Patented Get. 5, 1948 UNITED PLIERS WITH LINK CONNECTED Y HANDLE AND JAW Arthur H. Hagen, Globe, Ariz. Application September 17, 1945, Serial No. 616,788

8 Claims. 1

\ This invention relates to improvements in tools such as pliers.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a pair of pliers in which a better leverage or increased pressure is obtained in gripping or clamping articles between the jaws of the tool. More specifically, the invention contemplates pliers in which one of the jaws is connested to its handle by a link pivotally connected to' said jaw and handle and so arranged with respect to co-operat-ing abutments on the two handles of "the tool as to amplify the force exerted in closing t-he'handle's so that an increased pressure is exerted by the jaws when an article is to be clamped or gripped between the latter.

"Another object ofthe invention is to provide a pair of pliers in which an article gripped between the jaws can be retained between the same without continuing the pressure used in closing the handles and jaws. In connection with this feature of locking an article in clamped position between the jaws, means are also provided for retaining said locking means inoperative so that the pliers can be used as any ordinary pair of pliers.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain details of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will hereinafter be more fully described and the novel features thereof particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is-a plan View illustrating the pliers in their open position Fig. 2 is a similar view with the pliers closed on an article between the jaws;

Fig. 3 is a plan view illustrating the assembly of the jaw and handle with their interconnecting link;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of the other integrally formed handle and jaw;

Fig. an an edge view of the integral jaw and handle; and

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View on the line 6-6 of Fig.1.

The present tool or pliers consists essentially of the two jaws I0, II pivotally connected together by a pivot pin I2 and the two handles l3, I4, the handle I3 being formed integrally with the jaw I and the handle I4 being connected to jaw 'II by a link I which is attached to jaw II by the pivot pin I5 and to the handle I4 by a pivot pin II. Jaw II is formed with a rearward extension II and the'rear end of this extension engage against the surface of a recessed portion 2 I4 of handle I4 when the jaw and handles are in their opened position as shown in Fig. 1. When pressure is exerted on the handles to close the handles and jaws, a spring 20 connected to handle I4 and jaw II and .the engagement of extension Il with the surface I4 of handle I4 causes said jaw and handle to move as a unit until jaw II engages against an object or article between the jaws, whereupon the tension of spring 29 is overcome and handle I4 becomes disengaged from jaw extension I I as indicated in Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig.5, jaw IE! and handle I3 have an opening 2W extending therethrough in which the handle I4 is positioned. Ribs 22 are formed in this hollow portion 2| of jaw III and handle I3, said ribs being spaced apart for reception of the handle I4. Mounted on said handle I4 at one side of the ribs 22 are means for rendering the connecting link I5 operative to increase the pressure transmitted from handle I4 to jaw II.. As shown in Fig. 1, the pivotal connection I I between link I5 and handle I4 and the pivotal connection I2 between the jaws I0, II, are normally located at opposite sides of a line intersecting pivot pin I6 and the pivot pin 23 of an abutment or block 24 carried on opposite sides of the handle I4. This abutment or block 24 is adapted .to engage against the ribs 22 when the handles are pressed together and the jaws Ifl, -II engage an article positioned between them. For instance, when the jawsengage an article betweenthem the tension of spring 20 is overcome by continuing the pressure on the'handles whereupon the handle 14 will tend to pivot on the pivot pin II. This action on the part of handle I4 moves-the block or abutment 24 into engagement with ribs 22 whereupon the handle I4 will then tend to turn on the pivot pin .23, the block 24 at that moment being held stationary by the ribs 22. This turning movement of handle I4 on pin 23 forces the pivotal connection II between the handle and link toward the line AA with the result that jaw II is forced with greater pressure toward jaw ID. If the object gripped between the jaws will yield sufliclently under the pressure imposed on the handles of the tool the pivotal connection I! between link 1-5 and handle I4 can be moved sufiiciently far to pass beyond the line AA intersecting pivots I6 and 23, so that the pliers will be locked in their thus closed position until the handles are forcibly separated to return the pivotal connection H to that side of the .line AA on which it is normally located.

As stated above, means are provided for regulating this action of the connectinglink 'IS'a'nd these means consist of a stop or screw 25 carried by the link and adapted to engage an extension Ma of jaw II. By adjusting screw in link I5, the movement of pivotal center H with respect to the line AA can be varied at will. That is by adjusting the screw 25 so that its end is comparatively close to the jaw extension Ha the movement of pivot pin ll toward the line AA during the closingof'thehandles and jaws will be rather limited whereas, if the screw 25 is so adjusted that it is spaced a maximum distance from the jaw extension I la, the pivotal connection 11 will be permitted a maximum movement, which will carry it beyond the line AA. In other words, if; the stop 25 is adjusted to permit a maximum movement of the pivot pin ll during the closing of the handles and jaws then said pin ll will be capable of moving beyond the line AA so as to temporarily lock the jaws in closed position. This would be the adjustment of the parts when it .is desired to .hold an article between thejaws without continuingthe application of pressure to the tool handles, On the other hand, if it is simply desired to use'the toolas a pair of pliers it is only necessary to adjust stop screw 25 so that itspoint will come into contact with jaw extension Hajust before the pivot pin l1 comes into line the pivot pins i6, 23, during the-closing of the jaws.

What-:isclaimed is:

1. In a pair d pliers comprising pivotally connec'ted jaws and. a handle'for. eachljaw, a connecting linkpivotally secured atits opposite ends to one of said'jaws and its handle, an abutment pivotallyr-associated with saidl handle, a stop on the other handle engageable'by said abutment, said firstimentionedthandle' being rotatable on the pivot of saidabutment when the latter is in engagement with saidLst-op to movethe pivotal connection betweensaid handle and connecting link toward a. line=intersecting the pivotal connection between said link and its jaw and the pivotalecenter of said abutment, and means for adjustably limiting the movement of said pivotal connection between said connecting linkandthandle toward said line;

2. Aapair of pliers comprising apair of pivotally connected jaws and a handle for each jaw, one handle being formed integral with its jaw; a link connecting the other jaw and the other handle, said link being pivotally attached to said other handle and jaw, an arcuate rib on the integral handle, an abutment pivoted on said other handle movable into engagement with said rib by the closing of thehandles, the pivotal connections between said jaws and" between said link. and said other handle being normally positioned at opposite sidessof a line intersecting; the pivotal mounting of the abutment andv the pivotal connection between said link and said' other jaw, said: other handle being free toturn relativeto said abutment when the latter is positioned against said rib to: force the pivotal connection between said-link and other handle toward said line.

3. A pair of Pliers comprising a pair of pivotally connected jaws and a handlefor each jaw, one handle being formed integral With'its jaw, a link connecting the other jaw. and the other, handle, said link being pivotally attached to said other handle andljaw an arcuate rib'on the integral handle, an abutment pivoted" on said other handle movable into engagement. with said rib bythe closing of the handles, the pivotal connections between. said jaws and between said link and handle being normally positioned at opposite sides of a line intersecting the pivotal mounting of the abutment and the pivotal connection between said link and said other jaw, said other handle being free to turn relative to said abutment when the latter is positioned against said rib to force the pivotal connection between said link and other handle toward said line, said pivotal connection between saidlink and said other handle being movable past said line to lock the jaws in closed position.

i. A pair of pliers comprising a pair of pivotally connected jaws and a handle for each jalw, one handle-being formed integral with its jaw, a link connecting the other jaw and the other handle, said link being pivotally attached to said other handle and jaw, an arcuate rib on the integral handle, an abutment pivoted on said other handle movable into engagement with said rib by the closing of the handles, the pivotal connections between said jaws and between said linkand handle being normally positioned at opposite sides of a line intersecting the pivotal mounting of: the abutment and the'pivotal connection between said link and said other jaw, said other handle-being free to turn relative-to said abutment when the latter is positioned againstsaid rib to force the pivotal connectionbetween said link and other handletoward said line, and means on said connecting link engagable with said other jaw to limit the closing movement of said handles and the movement of the pivotal connection between said link and other handle toward said line;

5. A pair of plierscomprising a pair of pivotallyconnected jaws and-ahandle for each jaw; one handle being formed integral J with it jaw, a link connecting the other jaw and theother handle, said link being'pivotally-attached'tosaid other handle and jaw, an arcuate rib on. the integral handle, an abutment: pivoted on said other handle movable into engagementwith: said ribby the closing of the handles, the pivotal connections between saidrjaws and between said link and handle being-normally, positioned at opposite sides of a line intersecting the pivotal mounting of the abutmentand-the'pivotal connection between said linkand said other jaw, said other handleibeing .free to turn relative to said abutment when thelatter is positioned against, said rib to force theipivotalconnection betweensaid link and other handle toward. said line, and astop on said link engageable with said other jaw for controlling the-extentotmovement ofthe said pivotal connection between said. link and other-handle toward said line;

6. A pair of pliers comprisinga pair of pivotally connected'jaws. and a: handle for each-jaw, one-handle being-formed integral with its jaw, a link connecting the other jaw and the. other handle, said link being pivotally. attached tosaid other handle and jaw, an arcuate rib. on the integral handle, an abutment pivoted on'said other handle movable into engagement withisaid rib by, the closing ofthe-handles, the pivotalzconnections between said jaws and between said link and handle'beingnormally positioned atropposite' sides of a line intersecting the pivotal mounting of the abutment andvthepivotal con motion between said linkahdsaid other-jaw, said other handler being free to turn relativeto said: abutment. when the latter is positioned against: said rib to force the pivotal-connection between 'SBzidilll'lk'fil'ldtOiihEl handle toward said line, and; alsltopp engageable with said other jaw for: controlling theextent. of: movement of: the

said pivotal connection between said link and other handle toward said line, said stop being adjustable relatively to said other jaw to vary the extent of movement permitted said pivotal connection.

7. A pair of pliers comprising a pair of pivotally connected jaws and a handle for each jaw, one handle being formed integral with its jaw, a link connecting the other jaw and the other handle, said link being pivotally attached to said other handle and jaw, an arcuate'rib on the integral handle, an abutment pivoted on said other handle movable into engagement with said rib by the closing of the handles, the pivotal connections between said jaws and between said link and handle being normally positioned at opposite sides of a line intersecting the pivotal mounting of the abutment and the pivotal connection between said link and said other jaw, said other handle being free to turn relative to said abutment when the latter is positioned against said rib to force the pivotal connection between said link and other handle toward said line, a screw threaded in said link engageable with said other jaw for controlling the movement of the pivotal center between said link and other handle toward said line, said screw being adjustable in said link toward and from said other jaw to vary the extent of movement permitted said pivotal center.

8. A pair of pliers comprising a pair of pivotally associated jaws, a handle for each jaw, one handle being formed integrally with its jaw, a connecting link pivotally attached to the other handle and jaw, a spring connected to said other handle and jaw yieldingly resisting relative movement between the same whereby said other handle and its jaw will move as a unit on the pivotal connection between the two jaws until the resistance of said spring is overcome, a rib on the integral handle, an abutment pivoted on said other handle engageable with said rib, the

pivotal connections between said jaws andsaid link and other handle being normally positioned at opposite sides of a straight line intersecting the pivotal connection between said other jaw and link and the pivotal mounting of said abutment, said other handle being movable on the pivotal connection between it and said link to move said abutment into engagement with said rib when the resistance of said spring is overcome by the jaws closing upon an object therebetween and said other handle being movable on the pivotal connection between it and said abutment when said abutment is in engagement with said rib to move the pivotal connection between said other handle and said link toward said line and to force said other jaw into intimate contact with an object between the jaws.

ARTHUR H. HAGEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,088,429 Kreseen Feb. 24, 1914 2,327,368 Olson Aug. 24, 1943 2,368,906 Westman Feb. 6, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 35,585 Switzerland Mar. 11, 1907 

